LESSON 1: THE WORD OF GOD
Basic Truths about the Bible
Questions to Ponder:
1. What is your opinion or belief about the Bible?
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2. What do you think is the reason why many people think that
the Bible is very important?
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3. In what ways does the Bible affect or help you?
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4. If we will measure your knowledge about the Bible, what
would it be? (10 being the highest score)
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THE WORD OF GOD IN WRITTEN FORM
God reveals himself to us. At first, people relate to him orally, that is, they
can hear the actual voice of God. But there came a time when God’s
revelation was put into written form. What we have at the present is the final
product of writing this revelation through various ages and circumstances.
Consider the following passages that relate to us how the Word of God took
its written form.
1. Exodus 31:18 - __________________________________
2. Deuteronomy 31:9-13 - ____________________________
a. Moses (Deuteronomy 31:24-26)
b. Joshua (Joshua 24:26)
c. The Disciples of Jesus (John 14:26; cf. 1 Corinthians 14:37)
3. 1 Corinthians 14:37 - ______________________________
Discussion point:
Question: What do you think is the reason why God put his words into
writing?
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THE INSTRUMENTS FOR WRITING THE WORD OF GOD
The Bible came to its current form because its books (66 in English)
are organized through a process called, “canon.” This word literally
means “measuring rod.” Since the ancient times there is a demand for
standard measure to gather God’s word in written form (Deuteronomy
32:47 and 4:2).
This process has been made possible because of a tradition for writing known
as the “chain of the writing prophets.” It refers to the fact that the writers of
God’s Word are somehow connected to one another by their relationships
(like Moses & Joshua) or their writings.
Examples of the Chain of Writing Prophets
1. Moses to Joshua (Joshua 24:26)
2. Samuel (1 Samuel 10:25)
3. David (1 Chronicles 29:29)
4. Others (Jeremiah 30:2)
LESSON 1: THE WORD OF GOD
Basic Truths about the Bible

we have now in our churches and homes which are known as

“translations.”

There are some evidences that the Old Testament that we have at the present
(Genesis-Malachi) has already been existing before the time of the New
Testament.
1. Josephus – a Jewish historian mentions in his writings about the
book which is God’s word for his people.
2. Hebrew or Rabbinic literatures – there are other writings from
different traditions and teachers aside from the Bible which testify to
this group of writing (e.g. Qumran).
3. The New Testament – the Lord Jesus and other writers of the New
Testament recognizes the Hebrew Bible as God’s Word.
As for the New Testament, the writings started through the apostles and
disciples of the Lord Jesus. They were both authorized (2 Peter 3:2) and
empowered (John 14:26) by God in their writings. It is even taught that
lying to the apostles is lying directly to the Holy Spirit and to God because
they deliver his word (Acts 5:3-4).
Closing Thoughts:
The Bible is the exact Word of God (vocal) only in written form. It was
written through various ways and various times by several people. It was
preserved with great and unimaginable ways for God’s people. Now, it
remains the source and authority for God’s people in their:
1. ________ (what to ________)
2. ________ (what to ____)
“I think the greatest weakness the church today is that no one believes that God invests His
power in the Bible. Everyone is looking for power in the program, in a methodology, in a
technique, in anything and everything but that in which God has placed it – His Word. He
alone has the power to change lives for eternity, and that power is focused on the Scriptures.”
- Dr. R.C. Sproul

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE PROCESS OF OUR PRESENT

BIBLES

The books of the Bible are written for a very long period and
amazingly they are preserved accurately! The original writings of the
Bible are called “autographs” but they no longer exist.
Before they vanished however, the scribes or scholars were able to
copy them in papyrus, leaves, rocks, copper, animal skins, etc. These
are called “manuscripts” of which hundreds still exist. These copies
were studied by experts with much sophistication. It must be noted
however that they were written in the original languages of their
writers which are Hebrew and Aramaic (for Old Testament) and Greek
(for the New Testament). Based on the studies, they are then translated
into very numerous languages from all over the world. These are what